The Cross River State Ministry of Justice has concluded its 2026 Annual Law Officers’ Professional Development Training, with a renewed focus on strengthening professional competence, embracing technological innovations and improving the delivery of legal services across the state.
The four-day programme, held from November 2 to 5, 2026, at the Cross River State Library Complex, Calabar, was organised by the Ministry in collaboration with The Law Crest LLP and The Practical Training Academy Ltd/GTE.
Declaring the training open, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ededem Charles Ani, Esq., said the programme, now in its third consecutive year, reflected the Ministry’s commitment to continuous professional development and the strengthening of institutional capacity.
He acknowledged the support of Governor Bassey Edet Otu, noting that the administration had continued to support efforts to improve the Ministry’s operations and professional capacity.
Ani disclosed that the number of participating Zonal Officers had increased from about 10 in the previous year to 25, while recalling that 72 Law Officers were employed in the previous year to address manpower gaps and strengthen legal representation across the state.
He urged participants to take full advantage of the training, acquire new knowledge and demonstrate greater professionalism in handling their responsibilities.
“The legal profession is constantly evolving, and as Law Officers, we must continuously update our knowledge and skills to remain effective in the discharge of our responsibilities. This training provides an opportunity to strengthen our professional capacity and improve the quality of legal services we render to government and the people of Cross River State,” he said.
The Attorney General particularly highlighted the growing relevance of Artificial Intelligence in modern legal practice, cautioning that its application must be guided by professional judgment, independent verification and strict adherence to confidentiality.
“Artificial Intelligence is increasingly becoming relevant to legal practice, and we cannot afford to ignore its opportunities. However, we must understand that technology cannot replace the professional judgment of a lawyer. Whatever information or legal material we obtain through AI must be independently verified, while confidentiality and professional ethics must remain paramount,” Ani stated.
The training featured practical sessions on various aspects of legal practice and public service administration, facilitated by experienced legal practitioners and professionals. Topics on the opening day included Introduction to Arbitration, facilitated by Dr. Chukwendu Madumere; Mediation; and Introduction to Artificial Intelligence.
On the second day, participants received training on Public Sector Lawyering and an Overview of the Structure and Work of the Ministry of Justice, facilitated by Mr. Arthur Warrey. Other sessions addressed Civil Litigation, handled by Mr. Godwin Omokaro, SAN, and Public Sector Contracts, facilitated by Mr. Zayonu Usman, SAN.
The third day featured sessions on Criminal Litigation and Negotiations, facilitated by Mr. Victor Opara, SAN, and Mr. Uche Alion, respectively, while the final day focused on Arbitration, Employment Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution, including Property Law and Probate.
The facilitators drew from their professional experiences to expose participants to practical approaches to legal practice, providing opportunities for interaction, knowledge exchange and a deeper understanding of the legal and administrative demands of government service.
Ani stressed that the success of the training would not be determined by the number of certificates issued but by the extent to which participants translated the knowledge acquired into improved professional performance.
“The real measure of this exercise is not the certificates we award at the end of the programme, but the positive changes it brings to our work. I expect every participant to return to their respective duty posts with improved capacity, greater confidence and a stronger commitment to professional excellence,” he said.
He also charged experienced Law Officers to mentor younger colleagues, urging all participants to uphold diligence, accountability and teamwork in advancing the objectives of the Ministry.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining professional development programmes that would enhance the capacity of its workforce, strengthen government legal services and improve access to effective legal representation in Cross River State.
By Mary Oben
